Award of a $491,000 contract for the construction of a dormitory and related facilities at the Wahpeton Indian School, Wahpeton, North Dakota, was announced today by the Department of the Interior. The successful bidder was Meide and Son, Inc., of Wahpeton. Eight higher bids ranging to $588,400 were received.
The 160-pupil dormitory for Indian youngsters through grade 2 is a continuation of an expansion and improvement program for the Wahpeton School begun in 1960 to meet the growing needs of the school population. A new classroom building was completed in 1962 and two dormitories in 1964. The current construction project will replace an existing dormitory which is no longer adequate. The improvement program is scheduled for completion within the next 5 years.
Wahpeton School enrolls almost 400 Indian children through grade 8 from the reservations of North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana. Most of the children are orphans, while a few come from socially and economically deprived homes. During the summer months, approximately 150 of the children remain at the school for planned education and recreational activities.
The contract includes the installation of a two-stall garage facility, sidewalks, utility connections and other site improvements.
